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HP Helps Retailers Expand Photo Merchandising Offerings with New, Industry-first Minilab
Versatile inkjet printer provides fast, profit-driving output; helps retailers reduce carbon footprint
HP announce an industry-first publishing solution that gives retailers the opportunity to expand the breadth and quality of their in-store photo services and capture more of the rapidly growing photo merchandise market.
The HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer is the first dry, inkjet minilab capable of producing traditional single-sided photo prints as well as duplex photo book pages and calendars in a single machine in retail.
Retailers using the HP Minilab can increase their operating efficiency by vastly reducing energy consumption – eliminating hazardous chemicals and water consumption, and lowering labor costs.
Kmart Australia and Ted’s Camera Stores in Australia will be the first retailers to implement the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer. Deployments by retailers in the US and Europe are expected to follow in the coming weeks.
“One of the key reasons we have chosen to implement HP technology is to move away from traditional chemical based photo production to a ‘greener’ method”, said Jason Robertson, Photofinishing Executive, Ted’s Camera Stores. “With the HP Photosmart ML1000D, HP was able to offer us environmentally friendly technology with duplex capability that will also enhance our customers’ creative photo experience.”
With the flexibility to serve as a standalone unit or as part of the HP Photo Centre solution, the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer is the latest addition to HP’s award-winning HP Retail Publishing Solutions portfolio.
As the compound annual growth rate for photo books alone worldwide is projected to increase 22 percent from 2008 to 2013,(2) HP is providing retailers with an opportunity to capture more share of this lucrative market.
“Bringing to market the fastest, most versatile and efficient dry minilab available today is just one example of how HP is building solutions that excite both customers and retailers,” said Mark Loosschilder, Business Development Manager, Retail Photo Solutions, IPG, HP Australia. “Retailers implementing the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer will enjoy a greater return-on-investment by having the ability to produce both photos and higher margin creative photo products from the one minilab.”
A faster, more versatile solution
The HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer delivers lab-quality photos as fast as 1,500 prints per hour in up to 16 different single-sided print sizes as well as the two main duplex photo book sizes – making it the fastest and most versatile dry minilab on the market today.(3) The system uses specially designed inks and papers to create smudge-, water- and fade-resistant prints that retain vivid, accurate colors for more than 200 years.(4)
Designed for both single-sided photo and double-sided photo book and calendar printing in a combination of gloss and matte finishes, the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer offers customers the speed and convenience of picking up not only their prints but also, for the first time at retail, the highest-quality photo book merchandise in an hour or less.
In addition, operators of the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer can benefit from the sophisticated health management system of the printer, including reminders to replenish supplies, automated color calibration and self-healing features. These simplified maintenance requirements enable store employees to spend less time worrying about the equipment and more time serving customers and driving sales.
Making smarter environmental choices
The HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer is a milestone in HP’s effort to transform the imaging and printing industry from traditional, analog systems to digital solutions as well as its environmental commitment.
The Minilab enables retailers to significantly reduce electrical power consumption and eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals and water entirely for the processing of prints. Retailers choosing the HP Photosmart ML1000D Minilab printer over a silver-halide photo finishing system can experience a 64 percent savings in energy and an average savings of 1,600 gallons of chemical and water discharge per year.(1)
Additionally, the Minilab’s supplies can be recycled easily and responsibly through the HP Planet Partners Return and Recycling program.
HP at the 2009 Digital Imaging Conference
At the InfoTrends Digital Imaging Conference Sept. 16-17 in Burlingame, Calif., HP’s Kimberly Miller, vice president of marketing and merchandising, and Kalle Marsal, director of product management, in the company’s Retail Publishing Solutions business, will be addressing the retail publishing industry in the following panel sessions:
· “B2B Opportunities in Photo Merchandise & Publishing” – Wednesday Sept. 16, 2:15-3:30 p.m. PT, Hyatt Regency, Burlingame.
· “Making the Right Equipment Choices in the Retail Photo Market” – Thursday, Sept. 17, 2:30-3:30 p.m. PT, Hyatt Regency, Burlingame.
HP and the environment
For decades HP has been an environmental leader, driving company stewardship through its HP Eco Solutions program. HP influences industry action by setting high environmental standards in its operations and supply chain, by providing practical solutions to make it easier for customers to reduce their climate impact and through its research on sustainability solutions that support a low-carbon economy. More information on HP’s Eco Solutions program is available at www.hp.com/ecosolutions.
(1) f/22 Consulting data on HP vs. silver-halide systems. Assumes both photo finishing systems producing 1,250 prints/day, 360 days per year.
(2) “Photo Merchandise Revenue Forecast,” InfoTrends Multi-Client Quant Study of U.S. Consumers, October 2008.
(3) Based upon manufacturers’ dry retail lab printer published specifications as of July 2009.
(4) Based on 200+ years display permanence rating by Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. using six-ink HP pigment inks on supplied HP photo paper.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; any statements regarding anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected operational and financial results; and other risks that are described in HP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2009 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.
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